Tereitoet



(no Model.)

J. P. PRES-TON.

LINK FOR GHAINS.-

Patented Dec. 1 1885.

WI TJV' ESSES N. PETEIE Plwloiihogra llNrrEn STATES Y Farmer other.

JAMES PORTER PRESTON, OF BISBEE, ARIZONA TERRITORY.

LINKFOR CHAINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,326, dated December 1, 1885.

Application filed September 5, 1855. Serial No. 176,271. (No model.)

To all whom it may concer Be it known that I,J AMES P. PRESTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bitbee, in the county of Cochise, Arizona Territory, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Links for Chains, 8m, of which the following isaspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention has relation to improvements in links for chains and the like; and the novelty consists in the peculiar construction, combination, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a sectional link which shall be capable of being readily and quickly taken apartand put together to lengthen, shorten, and mend a chain,

which shall combine extreme simplicity of construction with great strength and durability, which shall be cheap and easy of mann facture, which can be made in sections and of varying sizes and kept in stock to supply the demand from the trade.

In the drawings hereto annexed,which form a part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of a link constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken through one of the side bars of the link on the linemc of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end elevation, and Fig. 4. is a detailed perspective view of one of the link-sections.

Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings, referring to which- A designates my improved link, which is formed in two sections, B B, detachably fitted together and adapted to engage the link of a similar character or of ordinary construction to provide or form a chain and to increase the length when desired. Each section B comprises one of the side bars, I), of the link, and a tapering or beveled arm, b,which,when the sections are fitted together, forms the end bars of said link, as will be readily understood. Each end of the side bar, I), of each section is provided with the tapering orbeveled arm 6, which is curved or rounded, as at b, through out its length, as is usual in links of the class herein shown, and the meeting arms of each section. are beveled or tapered in opposite directions from each other, so that when they are fitted together the extreme outer tapered end of the arms will lie flush with the face of the side bar of its adjacent meeting section, as is obvious. The outer end of each arm I) is beveled or pointed as at 11 and is provided on one surface with a projecting tooth, c, which teeth are adapted to fit in sockets or seats when the two sections are fitted together, as will be presently described. At the point where the bevel or taper of the arm b commences, or at the line where it diverges from the arm is provided a transverse aperture, 0, preferably square in form, and of corresponding shape as the tooth c of the arm adapted to engage the same, said tooth of each arm projecting through the aperture 0, and on the opposite side of the link it is headed or hammered down to clinch the parts in position and prevent them from becoming easily detached. At the point where the aperture 0 is formed in the sections is provided a cut-away portion, (I, at one side of which is left a projecting lip, d, and at the opposite side is formed a seat, It, for the reception of the pointed end of the arm which is adapted to fit therein, said recess being formed in the ends of the bar b and in line with its longitudinal axis. One arm or wall of the recess or seat d is slightly longer than its other wall, and the inner arm or side of the pointed end of the arm b, that fits therein, is also made a little longer to snugly and closely fit the same.

Near the outer end of the arm I), on the lower beveled surface thereof, is provided a lip, e, just in rear of the tooth thereon, said lip being adapted to engage the lip d of the recess formed in the inner arm of the loop-section.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, it will be observed that when the tapered arms of each section are brought together they will fit snugly and flush with the exterior surfaces of the side bars, so as to leave the entire faces of the link when thus formed freer from projections, and closely resemble the ordinary link at present in use, the only indication of the difference being that the line where the sections are joined is visible. WVhen the sections are brought together, the tooth of each arm ICO thereof and the locking-lips and pointed ends fit in their respective sockets and engage, and the projecting ends of the teeth are hammered down to securely hold the sections in position and prevent displacement.

It is obvious that a chain can be quickly and securely formed by means of a series of links constructed in accordance with my invention, or that a chain having links of any construction can be lengthened to any required length or degree by a series of links of my improved construction, it only being necessary to pass the hooked end of each section through the end link of the chain and fit the sections together, as described, after which the teeth can be headed down.

The link can be used to connect chains of different lengths and sizes of links together, when occasion may require, in which case each end of the link-sections engages the end links of each chain, and are welded or headed together.

The device can be used in other relations and under varying conditions with equal advantages, and is made in different sizes, so as to be kept in stock like articles of hardware and supplied to the trade upon demand, each section being the counterpart and constructed precisely alike and in the same proportions or sizes as its fellow section. The arms of each section being curved and secured upon the side bars of the adjacent sections, the strain and wear upon thelinks are partially upon the side bars of the link, the arms being formed integral therewith and securely connected thereto. The pointed ends and tapered seats for the sectionarms prevent any lateral or side play, and the headed teeth prevent any longitudinal play or the sections from becoming detached.

The link possesses great strength and durability-almost equal to links of the class known as fire-welded links-is extremly simple in its construction, thoroughly effective in operation, and comparatively cheap and easy of manufacture.

I am aware that it is not broadly new to construct a link or ring in two sections having curved arms at each end and locking-teeth and recesses to detachably secure the sections together.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A link made in two longitudinal sections having arms curved and tapered in the direction of their length and provided with teeth 0 and recesses c, the arms and teeth of one linksection fitting the arms and passing through the recesses of the fellow section and lying flush with the side bars thereof, substantially as described. r 2. A chain-link made of two longitudinal sections having arms at each end curved to ward each other and tapered in the direction of their length, the outer end of each arm be ing pointed and provided with atooth, c, and shoulder e, and the ,side bar of thelink-section having a tapered seat, d d, and a recess, 0', whereby when the sections are fitted together the shoulders e and teeth 0 fit the sockets d 02 curved tapered arms. fit flush with the side bars, substantially as described.

3. Alink made in two longitudinal sections, each of which consists of a side bar having a curved tapering arm at each end, each arm having a shoulder, e, and a tooth, c, at its outer end, and a seat, (Z and socket c at its juncture with the sidebar of the link-section, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES PORTER PRESTON.

Witnesses:

J. H. WITHERSPOON, J. G. BARNEY.

and recess a of the fellow section, and the 

